Collapsible or interchangeable case.



J. L. BUEHL. COLLAPS IBLE 0R INTERCHANGEABLE CASE. APPLICATION FILEDMAR. I4. 1913.

' 1,141,865. PatentedJunel, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

J. L. BUEHL'.

COLLAPSIBLE 0R INTERCHANGEABLE CASE.

APPLICATION men MAR-14,1913.

1,141,865. Patented June 1, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

i? "We 5 a 7g: g5 .2 51 41/ THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTC-LITHCL,WASHINGTON. D Cv J. L. BUEHL.

COLLAPSIBLEDR INTERCHANGEABLE CASE.

APPLICATION r1150 MAR. 14. 1913.

1,141,865. Patented June 1, 1915.

l 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO'LI'THOU WASHINGTON. D. 1

scribed, and more COLLAPSIBLE 0B INTERCI-IANGEABLE CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

Application filed March 14, 1913. Serial N 0. 754,229.

.or boXes, and relates particularly to a case of the kind described,suitable for containing bottles, as for example, beer bottles, but itsuse, however, is not limited to that alone, as the boxes may be employedwherever found applicable.

The invention has among its objects the production of a case of the kinddescribed that is simple, compact, durable, of'light weight, convenient,er'licient and satisfactory; that may be manufactured at comparativelysmall cost; that is made up of interchangeable parts, and that willoccupy small space during storage or shipping,

whenknocked down. In case of breakage of any part of the box or case,the same being interchangeable, the broken parts may be easily andquickly replaced or renewed at small cost. The old cases may be repairedwith new parts, or those parts of broken cases that are in goodcondition may be used to replace the'broken parts of other cases.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and departicularly pointed out inthe claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved case.Fig. 2 is a top plan-view of the same provided with a, cover. Fig.3 isan enlarged view in elevation of a portion of thecorner. Fig. 4; is aportion of Fig. 2 enlarged, showing one of the hinges. Fig. 5 issubstantially a sectional view, taken on line 5, 5 of Fig. 2. Fig.6 is atop plan view of the same. Fig. 7 is substantially a sectional viewtaken on line 7, 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a sectional view takensubstantially on line 8, 8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of'oneof the corners shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is substantially a sectionalView taken on line 10, 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectionalview of a portion of Fig. 8. Fig. 12 is also an enlarged view of thesame. Fig. 13 is a top plan-view of a portion of the racks or cratesarranged within the case. Fig. 14 is a sectional View, illus trating asimple method of securing the parts on the cross wires together. Fig. 151s substantially a section taken on line '16, 16 of Fig. 13. Fig. 16 isa sectional View taken on line 17, 17 of Fig. 13. Fig. 17 is a sectionalView taken on line 18, 18 of Fig. 13, and Fig. 18 is a view in elevationof a portion'of th end of the racks and supports therefor.

Referring to the drawings, in which my invention is shown embodied in aboX or case for containing bottles, as for example, beer bottles or thelike, the box or case comprises suitable sides, ends, bottom and a top,which top may be omitted if desired. The top is particularly intendedfor use Where the cases are shipped, and it is desired to give thecontents of the case as much protection as possible. I have notconsidered it necessary to illustrate the case knocked down, orcollapsed, for shipping or storage. The case comprises sides 1 and 2,ends 3 and 4t, and a bottom 5, which parts may be made of wood, metal,or any equivalent, of the desired size and weight. I have illustrated acase constructed of wood or similar material, which is preferablyreinforced or strengthened, so as to give maximum strength for a minimumweight. The sides 1 and 2 are preferably reinforced at the top andbottom by pieces 6, 6, etc., and the ends reinforced by pieces 7, 7,etc. The bottom 5 may also be similarly reinforced by the pieces orparts 11, 11, etc., preferably arranged upon the under side. Arranged onthe inner face of the'sides 1 and 2 are strips or cleats 9, 9, and onthe inner face of the ends, similar strips or cleats 10, 10, the samebeing suitably secured to the sides and ends in any desired manner. Theyare preferably so arranged that they support the bottom the'desireddistance above the lower edges of the sides and ends. Reinforcingcleatsl2 may also be arranged as shown. The cleats 11 may be ofsufficient size to also support the bottom. The sides and ends are pro-15, as most clearly shown in the enlarged of the cover and locking thesame down;

views Figs. 3 and 9. As shown the staples or loops have mating partsspaced from the adjacent sections and wires or retainers 16 are extendedthrough the loops and bent over so as to be locked in position.-Anyequivalent for the loops 15, 15 and wire 16 .10, the bottom issupported and prevented from dropping out of the cleats 9 and 10. Thecover or top 8 is preferably reinforced by strips or cleats 14, arrangedat the sides, the cover being preferably of a width to eX- tend flushwith the outer pieces, with the cleats 6, (Son the sides, as mostclearly shown in Fig. 8. A simple construction for hinging the top tothe body of the case, is illustrated in detail in Figs. 4 and 12, inwhich 24 are eyes secured to one part, as shown to the side or cleat 6,and 23 loops secured to the opposite part, as shown, the top, the twoparts being secured together by wire loops 25, or their equivalent. Thispreferred construction allows the top to be folded back against the sidewhen desired, so that it is out of the way, and the case takes up aminimum of room. It will be noted that the cover or top is cut out at26, at the points Where the same is hinged to the case. Any equivalenthinge construction may be emploved.

A simple lock is illustrated in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, for securing theopposite or free edge The lock shown comprises a wire 27, formed with aresilientloop 29, which is secured to the side 1 by staples 28, or theirequivalents. The opposite end of the wire lock 27 is formedvwith anextended part 30 arranged to extend through an opening 33 in the top,and engages with the pin 32. The locking member 27 is preferably beveledor formed with an inclined part 31, so that the lock Will automaticallyspring out of the way when the cover is forced down and back intoposition to lock the cover. The lock may be released by inserting afinger or suitable in-' strument through the opening 33, and pushfingitout of engagement with the pin 32.

" bottles, as for example, beer bottles, as men- Any equivalent lock maybe employed, but the lock shown is practical, may be arranged inside ofthe case and is substantially flush with they inner face, and further,is simple and not likely to get out of order. In case of injury to it,or breakage, it may be easily replaced or interchanged with a new one.

.Where the case is used for containing tioned, suitable means isarranged in the case for spacing and maintaining the bottles 1nposition. For this pu pose. I have shown a rack 18 and a rack 19, whichare suitably secured in position in the case. The racks arepreferablydivided into cross partitions,

the numberof the same depending upon the size of the case and the numberof bottles to be held. The racks shown are preferably arranged to besupported, are foldable, and are also arranged-so as to maintain thebottom in position, ifby chance the case is inverted. Q

As shown, the crates or racks are provided with an'outside frame 17. Theupper one is shown formed of cross wires 19 and the lower one of similarwires 18. A simple manner of connecting the wires by looping them at 34,where they cross, is illustrated in Fig. 1 1. It shouldibementiOned,:hoW

ever, that the wires maybe twisted or secured together in any desiredmanner, and may be modified or changed as. found desirable.

hThey may be woven, twisted, welded, or constructed of punched material,and, in fact, they may be constructed in so many in the sides or ends,or both. The upper i crate or grate is supported from the lower oneby'links 20. Itwillbe noted by refer ring to the detailed figures, Figs.13 to 17 that the links 20 at the ends are bent around so as topivotally secure the sameto the ends of the frame 17 Links 20 along thesides, are preferably bent to engage the cross wires.

18 and 19, which wires are preferably formed as most clearly shown inFig. 17, so as to prevent the loops becoming displaced. Referring tothis figure, it will be noted that the wires 19 are bent at the end asat 36, and thewires 18 looped in substantially a similar way. Thisconstruction permits the racks to be folded together substantiallyasindicated in the dotted linesfinFig. 16,

in which figure, however, the same is not shown completely folded. Itwill be noted that the supporting legs. 21 having the extended lowerends 22, not only support the racks, but also prevent the same, as wellas the bottom, from becoming accidentally remove'dfrom the case. r

In setting up the case or assembling the,

same,three of the corners may be secured together, and then the samebrought around to close the fourth-corner, the bottom and par-- titionsbeing positioned, and the fourth cor: ner being locked in a'manner.depending upon the fastening employed. The top may be used or not, aspreferred. The racks are positioned inthe case, i with r the extendinglot feet 22 sprung into place in the holes in the walls. The case isthen all assembled and ready for use. If the case is to be shipped byrail without contents, the case may be collapsed by undoing thefasteners, and the parts folded together. the racks being also folded sothat a number of cases may occupy the space that would be required byone assembled case. When the cases are received for filling andshipping, if any of the cases are damaged, as for example, one end isdamaged, a new end may be readily provided and replace the damaged one,the parts all being interchangeable. If a number of cases have diflerentparts broken or damaged, the damaged parts may be replaced by orinterchangeable with the good partsof other damaged cases, so that,perhaps, a considerable number of cases may be repaired and only severalbe discarded or lost, where, if the cases could not be so repaired, -allwould be wasted. I have particularly mentioned the case as applicableforcontaining beer bottles. It may, however, be employed for other useswherever it may be found applicable. All of the parts of the box or caseare interchangeable, including the ends, sides, bottom, cover,partitions, or crates, hinges, latching device, etc., the constructionpermitting the easy setting up, interchanging, and knocking down of thebox.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and described, or used mentioned.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe What I claim as new as Letters Patent is 1. A case of the kinddescribed comprising side and end walls, means for detachably lockingthe same together at the corners, a bottom, means on the walls of thecase for supporting the bottom, a spacing rack arranged within thecaseand provided with means engaging the walls of the case and thebottom and serving to maintain the rack and bottom in place.

2. A case of the kind described, comprising side and end walls, some ofsaid walls being provided with recesses, means for deand desire tosecure tachably locking the walls together at the corners, a bottom,means on the Walls of the case for supporting the bottom, a spacing rackarranged within the case and provided with portions engaging the bottomand the recesses in the walls of the case, and serving to maintain therack and bottom in place.

3. A case of the kind described, comprising side and end walls, some ofsaid walls being provided with recesses, means detachably locking saidwalls together at the corners, a bottom, means on the walls of the casefor supporting the bottom, a spacing rack arranged within the case, saidrack being provided with supporting legs resting upon the bottom andhaving lateral extensions engaging said recesses and maintaining therack and bottom in place.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

JOHN L. BUEHL.

Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, 1). 0'3

